I’m getting closer to finishing converting my furniture designs that I have made and use in my house from drawings to digital, 3D models. Even though I have beds, bedside tables, chests of drawers, desks and side tables, many of these fit the definition of minimalist, and therefore, hardly need the transition. For instance, a couple of side tables in a bedroom are simply cubes mounted on the wall. Maybe I will do a simple roundup of everything and leave it at that.

The remaining furniture is mid-century modern pieces such as a very long (6 feet) and low 12 drawer chest of drawers and a thick plate glass coffee table with large, round, wooden  wheels affixed directly to the top by brackets, done by a Danish, mid-century modern designer of modest renown. I don’t include a sofa that I re-upholstered even though I dramatically changed its form in the process. I have made all the lamps in my house as well. I will include those in the future.

Here I include a bar table that resides in the dining room, covered with crystal carafes and bottles. This table is around 26″ x 50″ and consists of steel pipe, PVC, wood and marble tiles.

 

This table boasts 3 1/2″ PVC pipe legs painted black with automotive paint to a high-gloss finish. The legs attach to the top by PVC caps secured to the wood support with bolts recessed, hidden and covered by marble tiles. The legs are inserted and glued into the caps. Since PVC is “wiggly”, steel pipes bent at 90 degrees secure the legs further by bolts to the bottom of the legs and bolts against the bottom of the top. Painted hardwood 1″ x 2″ mitered strips frame the marble tiles. Grey grout fills the spaces between the tiles.

The two cube chairs are actually used on a covered patio area. Although, not exactly a cube, the chairs come very close. The framing is plywood with a few wood supports (2″ x 4″) in the base of the chair. The frame support comes from attachment of four large and long bolts with large washers through the sides of the chair. The rust resistant bolts and washers are purposely left exposed and form extremely strong joints. The seat uses an old-fashioned woven strap feature to support the cushion. The remaining cushions are loose. The fabric is a glossy leather. Casters make up the legs. The only thing left out of this reproduction is a decoration of French tacks in silver around the outside corners that go back and down about 2/3.

As one can see, I enjoy experimenting with unusual materials and methods. Whenever I can, I like exposing the structure or support of the piece. Since, I have a strong affiliation with the modernists of the mid-century, leaving the frames showing suits me just fine. I wonder how I would do on “Ellen’s Design Challenge”?

HBosler

Self-Portrait